Reyna livestock population status in Nicaragua: distribution, management, production and qualities

Abstract

This study was conducted in collaboration with the Italian agency CROCEVIA, and its purpose was to determine the population level, geographical distribution, management elements, use and characteristics of Reyna Creole cattle. This breed is present in eleven of the sixteen departments in our country, reaching a total population of 1963 heads, of which 1184 corresponded to pure herd and 779 to cross herd, the departments of Rivas and Boaco have the largest population of pure herd. Systems where this breed is exploited, are mostly double purpose, based on grazing, which in some cases is accompanied by food supplementation during milking, achieving identified 20 different grass species on farms where this breed is exploited. Milk production in the pure herd is obtained by double or single milking, reaching in the first case 4 kg to 5 kg in winter and in summer 5 kg to 6 kg and in one milking 4.5 kg to 5.5 kg in winter and summer respectively. In the herd crossed prevailing a single milking, with production ranging from 4 kg to 11 kg in winter and in summer 3 kg to 13 kg. Racial crosses in which participates Reyna 23 were reported, with the predominance of the half blood and a fourth Reyna, in combination with 6 different races. This breed has 18 attributes and 7 defects identified by producers, having more benefits than flaws.

La Calera, Vol.14 No.22, Mayo 2014, pp.38-43